Does Grubhub Take Prepaid Cards? Everything You Need To Know

Wondering if you can use that Visa gift card or prepaid debit card to order takeout on Grubhub? As a leading food delivery platform, Grubhub offers diners plenty of payment flexibility. This includes accepting prepaid card options alongside more traditional credit cards.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about paying with prepaid cards on Grubhub. You’ll learn:

• What types of prepaid cards Grubhub accepts
• How to add a prepaid card to your Grubhub account
• Step-by-step instructions for checking out with a prepaid card
• Where to get Grubhub-specific gift cards
• The pros and cons of paying with prepaid cards

Let’s start by looking at the prepaid card options available on Grubhub.

What Prepaid Cards Does Grubhub Accept?

Grubhub accepts the following major types of prepaid cards:

Prepaid Debit Cards

Prepaid debit cards work similarly to traditional debit cards, except you load funds onto the card upfront instead of withdrawing from a linked bank account. As long as the card has one of the major provider brands printed on it, like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, Grubhub will accept it.

Using a prepaid debit card with Grubhub allows you to stick to a set food budget without needing to open a bank account. Just be aware that some prepaid debit cards charge fees for purchases or ATM withdrawals.

Prepaid Credit Cards

Prepaid credit cards also allow you to allocate a set amount of funds in advance. They tap into major credit card networks like Visa and Mastercard without requiring a credit check or security deposit. As with prepaid debit cards, Grubhub will accept these as long as they display an approved logo from American Express, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.

One key difference between prepaid credit cards and prepaid debit cards relates to building credit history. Prepaid credit cards may allow you to establish or rebuild credit, whereas prepaid debit cards do not impact your credit score.

Gift Cards

Have a Grubhub gift card you’re eager to redeem? No problem. Grubhub’s payment system accepts both physical and e-gift cards. This includes Grubhub-specific gift cards as well as general Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards that can be used anywhere those cards are accepted.

Later in this article, we’ll cover where to find both physical and electronic Grubhub gift cards.

Now that you know which prepaid cards work with Grubhub, let’s look at how to add them to your account.

Adding a Prepaid Card to Your Grubhub Account

Adding a prepaid card to Grubhub streamlines checkout and lets you access order receipts. You’ll only have to enter your card details once rather than with every order.

Here are step-by-step instructions for adding a prepaid card on both mobile and desktop:

Grubhub Mobile App

1. Open the Grubhub app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right
2. Tap the gear icon to access account settings
3. Select "Payment methods"
4. Tap "Add new payment"
5. Enter your prepaid card details when prompted
6. Tap "Add card" to finish

Grubhub Website

1. Go to Grubhub.com and login to your account
2. Click your name (desktop) or initials (mobile) in the top right corner
3. Select "Account" from the dropdown menu
4. Choose "Payments" to view payment options
5. Click "Add new card" and enter your prepaid card information
6. Click "Add card" to complete prepaid card setup

Once your prepaid card is stored in your Grubhub account, you’re ready to use it to pay for orders.

Checking Out with a Prepaid Card

Placing a Grubhub order with a prepaid card is quick and easy. Simply follow these steps:

1. Build your order and proceed to checkout
2. Select your saved prepaid card from the payment dropdown menu
3. For gift cards, manually enter the claim code
4. Verify details like delivery address on the checkout page
5. Submit order by clicking “Place Order”

If you choose bank transfer as the payment method, Grubhub will only place the order once funds clear. With prepaid cards, however, your order finalizes immediately since the money is already loaded.

Now let’s explore some of the best places to find Grubhub gift cards, both electronically and in-store.

Where To Buy Grubhub Gift Cards

While Grubhub prepaid debit and credit cards must be obtained through your bank or card provider, you have plenty of options when it comes to finding Grubhub gift cards. Here are some top places to get your hands on this popular dining gift:

Grubhub Website

Purchase digital or physical Grubhub gift cards directly on Grubhub.com without any fees or expiration dates. Digital gift cards deliver instantly via email for last-minute gifting. Physical cards ship for free in just 3-5 business days.

Choose custom gift card amounts from $10-$500. One limitation is that accounts cannot redeem more than $2,000 in Grubhub gift cards per year.

Amazon

Among leading online retailers, Amazon ranks high for its selection of egift and physical restaurant cards. Digital Grubhub gift cards deliver immediately after checkout. Or opt for same-day Amazon gift card delivery depending on your location.

PayPal

In addition to serving as a Grubhub payment method, PayPal also lets customers purchase Grubhub gift cards electronically. They’re viewable in your PayPal wallet for easy access.

Retail Stores

Major pharmacy, grocery, and big box stores like CVS, Safeway, Kroger, Target, and Walgreens carry an array of restaurant gift cards in-store, including Grubhub. It’s easy to pick one up during an everyday shopping trip.

So now you know where to get Grubhub gift cards and how prepaid debit/credit cards work on the platform too. But are there any particular advantages or drawbacks to paying with prepaid cards versus other methods?

Let’s compare the pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Paying With Grubhub Prepaid Cards

Like any payment method, prepaid cards on Grubhub come with both benefits and shortcomings depending on your situation and priorities.

Here are the main advantages of paying with prepaid cards on Grubhub:

• No debt or overspending: Prepaid cards let you carefully budget out food expenses in advance.
• No credit check: Using prepaid debit/credit cards avoids hard credit inquiries that can lower your score.
• Build credit (prepaid credit cards): Making on-time payments may gradually improve your credit.
• Convenient gifts: Grubhub gift cards make great last-minute gifts for foodies.
• Teach financial lessons: Reloading funds teaches young adults financial planning skills.

However, there are a few potential pitfalls to look out for too:

• Fees: Certain prepaid debit cards charge ATM withdrawal, purchasing, or inactivity fees.
• No cash back: It’s not possible to get cash back on prepaid card purchases through Grubhub or delivery drivers.
• Limited protections: Prepaid cards lack certain credit card protections related to fraud or non-delivery.
• Harder budgeting: With gift cards, leftover balances don’t rollover, so budgeting future spending is trickier.

As you can see, context plays a major role in determining if the benefits of prepaid cards outweigh potential disadvantages or vice versa. Understanding these key pros and cons allows you to make the best choice for your money priorities and situation.

The Takeaway: Prepaid Cards Offer Convenience and Control

At the end of the day, paying with prepaid debit, credit, or gift cards allows Grubhub users another convenient way to order from their favorite restaurants.

Prepaid options let you take control over dining budgets without needing a linked bank account or accruing debt on credit cards. Grubhubgift cards also make fun gifts for the foodie in your life.

Just be aware of the occasional fees or lack of purchase protections with prepaid card use. Monitoring balances closely prevents any unsuccessful payment attempts mid-order.

Now hungry diners can reap the advantages of prepaid cards when ordering delivery or takeout through Grubhub. Add your card, place an order, and enjoy restaurant meals from the comfort of home.